SezMe
post-pre-born
At the peril to my mortal soul, I have to agree with plumjam. Politicians will manipulate terror threats for their gain, no matter the actual facts. It was done masterfully during the Bush '04 campaign.
Target: Europe
- Thread starter Undesired Walrus
- Start date
There is also the flipside. My understanding is that the 'threat' was leaked to US media and has now got politicos on both sides of the Atlantic scurrying to issue warnings while simultaneously trying to downplay it for fear of destroying the tourism industry.
But what are they supposed to do? An investigation/intelligence operation starts to get indicators that such an attack is in early stages of planning.
Someone, for reasons best known to themselves (possibly selfish), decides to leak this information.
Now those whom we task with our protection have a dilemma. If they ignore it and something does happen (possibly the reporting of it provokes an attack earlier than would have been planned for) they get roasted.
If they issue travel warnings they get accused of over-reacting and/or using it for political advantage.
ddt
Mafia Penguin
The most recent article in English by Der Spiegel says German authorities are "reserved" about the threat. See also its dossier on this matter.
Apparently, the current warnings are based on statements by the German jihadist Ahmad Sidiqi, who for some time now has been, hmm, interrogated by the CIA at Bagram airbase. He has been speaking about plans being made by Sheikh Younis al-Mauretani, a top Al-Qaida official. Make of that what you will.
I blame the media, they are the ones that report these things in a disproportionate manner, it is not unusual for countries to issue warnings about travelling to other countries but it seems as if this one is being reported quite differently.
For instance in August of this year several countries issued warnings to its citizens travelling to the UK (http://www.eturbonews.com/18162/us-australia-new-zealand-issue-travel-warning-northern-ireland), it generated a few articles such as this one: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/t...ia-warns-citizens-over-travel-to-Ireland.html .
ddt
Mafia Penguin
From the same Spiegel dossier: this article dates to 6 September, and already mentions Siqidi's capture and some of the statements he made. That seems not congruent with your thesis.
SezMe
post-pre-born
What the hell is this? There is no petty bickering going on here. If there was, how would the terrorists win? What the hell does that have to do with thread moderation?
Something is amiss here. I hope the admins address it ASAP.
applecorped
Banned
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If bickering at JREF was a measure of the terrorists winning then they won a long time ago.
Yeah, but the Paddys don't count.
Particularly as, for decades, probably their main source of funding for blowing up British and Irish citizens came from the USA.
I remember riding round London every day in the late 90s (year, not temperature) doing courier work, and bombs were an ever-present threat, and some did go off.
I don't remember much fuss about terrorist threats then. Cos it wasn't in the Yanks' interest.
Another reason not much fuss was made is... well, there'd be little point in invading Ireland, unless you were to do it on behalf of McCain Oven Chips.
Islamic terrorism is by far the best.
Eddie Dane
Philosopher
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SezMe
post-pre-born
Another thought: When are mod warnings posted on the possibility of something happening when there is no evidence that such a concern is warranted?
SnakeTongue
Graduate Poster
- Joined
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Excellent point!
SnakeTongue
Graduate Poster
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Bikewer
Penultimate Amazing
The "Mumbai style" attack, with a number of heavily-armed terrorists simultaneously attacking some target-rich area like a hotel or busy shopping mall, is capable of doing a lot of damage and killing a lot of people.
However, it would not seem as easy to stage as you might think. Unless one can recruit 10 or so locals who are sufficiently trained and motivated, you have to move your personnel in from another country.
Increasingly difficult, in today's society.
As well, sufficient arms and ammunition must be available. Let's say a dozen assault rifles, some grenades, and some thousands of rounds of ammo.
Not something you can easily put on a plane... And difficult to pick up locally in most European countries.
I'm sure this is an appealing method of attack for terrorists; you get a lot of bang for your buck in terms of casualties and terror effect.
It's also something that local authorities would have a hard time coping with. Even heavily-armed-and-armored SWAT-type units are geared to handling a small number of in-place suspects. A military-squad sized unit would present a lot of difficulties.
However, it would not seem as easy to stage as you might think. Unless one can recruit 10 or so locals who are sufficiently trained and motivated, you have to move your personnel in from another country.
Increasingly difficult, in today's society.
As well, sufficient arms and ammunition must be available. Let's say a dozen assault rifles, some grenades, and some thousands of rounds of ammo.
Not something you can easily put on a plane... And difficult to pick up locally in most European countries.
I'm sure this is an appealing method of attack for terrorists; you get a lot of bang for your buck in terms of casualties and terror effect.
It's also something that local authorities would have a hard time coping with. Even heavily-armed-and-armored SWAT-type units are geared to handling a small number of in-place suspects. A military-squad sized unit would present a lot of difficulties.
SnakeTongue
Graduate Poster
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More speculation:
‘High threat’ of imminent terror attacks in Europe
By David Usborne
Monday, 4 October 2010
US citizens in Europe, and those with plans to visit, were given a warning by the State Department yesterday to “take every precaution” because of the elevated threat of terrorist attacks that could be aimed at popular tourist spots as well as transportation hubs.
After the alert was issued yesterday morning in Washington DC, British Home Secretary Theresa May said it was consistent with the British view of the threat. The Foreign Office warned of a “high threat” of attacks in countries including France and Germany.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/n...attacks-in-europe-14965791.html#ixzz11OsofF4J
‘High threat’ of imminent terror attacks in Europe
By David Usborne
Monday, 4 October 2010
US citizens in Europe, and those with plans to visit, were given a warning by the State Department yesterday to “take every precaution” because of the elevated threat of terrorist attacks that could be aimed at popular tourist spots as well as transportation hubs.
After the alert was issued yesterday morning in Washington DC, British Home Secretary Theresa May said it was consistent with the British view of the threat. The Foreign Office warned of a “high threat” of attacks in countries including France and Germany.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/n...attacks-in-europe-14965791.html#ixzz11OsofF4J
Childlike Empress
Banned
Now top item in the radio news: Minister of Interior Thomas de Maizière repeats people shouldn't panic (not that anyone does), they know of no specific threat. Now you have it from the highest authority: Stop making **** up, Yankistanis.
So what was the "false flag" back in the summer when the USA also advised about the danger of travelling to a European country?
TragicMonkey
Poisoned Waffles
I guess I'm naive in that I don't expect governments plotting false flag atrocities to give advanced warning about them. It makes them look stupid for not being able to prevent an attack.